AND, I'll go even further. With the exception of Elevation & Volcano, these songs are wildly different from one other (even Elevation vs Volcano are different - the latter has a funk groove, while Elevation is much brighter pop-rock/punk.) And U2 are a better band, partially for having songs like these. The wide variety of strong responses to these songs are proof that they are not just forgettable throwaways or boring. (and YES, the responses are strong. Actions speak louder than just words, and if you repeatedly bring up the hatred, than your actions tell everyone how strong your response is.) These songs are proof that U2 is indeed going against what is expected, not just catering to fans. They just gave some fans how crave for a certain era, or sound, something that they don't like, and were not hoping for. Period.

Claims of being overly pop or overly "Elevation-like" so the band has lost it are ridiculous and statistically false. This is NOT opinion, this is fact. In 13 studio album (not including SOE), there are not more than 5 Elevation-type of songs. Correct me if I am wrong on that count. 5 out of roughly 130 songs (underestimate of 10 song x 13 studio album, not even including the many brides, or Passengers, that is 3.85%. That negligible amount is what many people base theories on.

I'm thinking the count of "pure" pop songs and percentage is even lower.

I think NLOTH horizon is one of their best, top 3 for me.I think SOI is their worst.I have a theory that bands that actually make it to their 13th album have completely run out of steam and have nothing left to say. Ex: R.E.M./Around the Sun = U2/Songs of InnocenceI hope that after SOE they release SOA then break up.Since I've been a rabid fan since 83 and lived through all of their incarnations I think my opinion counts more.

For mine it would be defending Rattle & Hum... The record AND the movie. I can't help feeling like even the fans have brought into the bands take on the record and the movie over time. To the point now that most rank it fairly low and bang out the same cliches the band often do when talking about the record. That is, that the whole idea was in hindsight perhaps ill-conceived at best and something they have gone to great lengths to distance themselves from. While that thought provided the creative fuel to ignite Achtung Baby - this record is savagely underrated as a result.

Some of the best studio and live moments caught in the one album. All I Want Is You is one of their very best, in my humble opinion. Desire a perfect 45 long before they agonised about creating such a thing. Heartland whispers into your ear and never leaves. Angel of Harlem a great tune still haunting the radio. Hawkmoon a hidden beast and God Part II a lost gem and the one that led the way to the Achtung sound. And Bullet is at its live epic best here.

And the movie.... U2 at their most U2ish. Moody, intense and in scorching rock form. Infinitely quotable and launched a thousand coverband copying Bono kicking a mic stand, flicking his hair or ranting whilst swaggering angrily down a runway.

For mine it would be defending Rattle & Hum... The record AND the movie. I can't help feeling like even the fans have brought into the bands take on the record and the movie over time. To the point now that most rank it fairly low and bang out the same cliches the band often do when talking about the record. That is, that the whole idea was in hindsight perhaps ill-conceived at best and something they have gone to great lengths to distance themselves from. While that thought provided the creative fuel to ignite Achtung Baby - this record is savagely underrated as a result.

Some of the best studio and live moments caught in the one album. All I Want Is You is one of their very best, in my humble opinion. Desire a perfect 45 long before they agonised about creating such a thing. Heartland whispers into your ear and never leaves. Angel of Harlem a great tune still haunting the radio. Hawkmoon a hidden beast and God Part II a lost gem and the one that led the way to the Achtung sound. And Bullet is at its live epic best here.

And the movie.... U2 at their most U2ish. Moody, intense and in scorching rock form. Infinitely quotable and launched a thousand coverband copying Bono kicking a mic stand, flicking his hair or ranting whilst swaggering angrily down a runway.

Some of U2's worst songs ever are their closers. I'm including Wake Up Dead Man in the group with clunkers like

- Shadows and Tall Trees- Grace - Cedars of Lebanon

Bono also overuses the term punk to describe the band post 2000. They were a soft offshoot of punk in the very beginning but then formed their own genre of Earnest Stadium Rock in the age of Hair. Bono just needs to shut up about being punk.

I have a political opinion but not gonna go into detail, but Bono should grow up and actually meet Trump if the opportunity arises. For a guy who's bipartisan approach I admire as he's matured the B-man is taking the low road right now.